Currumbin Alley
Encyclopedia
Currumbin Alley is a surf break at Currumbin
on the Gold Coast
in Queensland
, Australia
. There is almost always a crowd here, even when everywhere else on the Gold Coast is crowded. On days when the surf everywhere else is flat or very small, The Alley is often a crowded longboard
wave. The Alley is one of the more famous breaks on the Gold Coast along with Superbank and Burleigh Heads
among others. Waves wrap around the point and towards the creek. It is exposed to perfect beginners conditions towards the creek and some epic right-handers towards the point. There's also a great wave just across the channel called Lacey's Lane. The Alley marks the mouth of Currumbin Creek
.
, north from Tugun
and south from Palm Beach
. You Should reach Currumbin Bridge. When approaching from the north, drive over the bridge and turn off the highway, heading towards the beach. The Alley is in between the rock wall and the Rocks. When approaching from the south drive along Currumbin Beach until you reach the creek mouth.
, or paddle out from Currumbin Beach on the other side of the rocks (watch out for any underwater rocks). When it's small just head straight out, or if you're feeling lazy go through one of the many 'keyhole' passages through the rocks and have a far shorter paddle. Watch out for the rip and southerly sweep.
schools on weekends, so watch out for them as they can't get out of your way and they can't move for you if you're in their way. It can be a good wave for a fish board when the swell gets to 2-3 feet. When the surf is producing medium to large size sets and you are an intermediate to well-developed surfer there is the option of jumping out of the keyhole or even off the very back, (for well-developed surfers that know the ally well).
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Currumbin, Queensland
Currumbin is a suburb in the Gold Coast region of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 Census, Currumbin had a population of 2,647.-History:Many of the houses at Currumbin date from the period of its earliest subdivision and the area contains a substantial grouping of fibro beach houses...
on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. There is almost always a crowd here, even when everywhere else on the Gold Coast is crowded. On days when the surf everywhere else is flat or very small, The Alley is often a crowded longboard
Surfboard
A surfboard is an elongated platform used in the sport of surfing. Surfboards are relatively light, but are strong enough to support an individual standing on them while riding a breaking wave...
wave. The Alley is one of the more famous breaks on the Gold Coast along with Superbank and Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Burleigh Heads is a suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 Census, Burleigh Heads had a population of 7,606.Burleigh Heads is renowned for its surf break, and is an alternative to the more tourist ridden towns of the Gold Coast...
among others. Waves wrap around the point and towards the creek. It is exposed to perfect beginners conditions towards the creek and some epic right-handers towards the point. There's also a great wave just across the channel called Lacey's Lane. The Alley marks the mouth of Currumbin Creek
Currumbin Creek
Currumbin Creek is a large creek on the Gold Coast of Queensland, running from Mount Cougal in the west to its mouth at Currumbin Alley in the east. It is apporoximately in length. It provides a popular and tranquil setting for many rowing clubs, kayakers, jet skiers, boat-goers and fishermen.The...
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Getting there
Drive along the Gold Coast HighwayGold Coast Highway
The Gold Coast Highway in Queensland, Australia links the coastal suburbs of the Gold Coast. 33 km in length, the highway passes through popular tourist resorts such as Southport, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Currumbin...
, north from Tugun
Tugun, Queensland
Tugun is a beachside suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 Census, Tugun had a population of 4,821.Its name is believed to have derived from an Indigenous word of unknown dialect meaning "breaking waves"....
and south from Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Queensland
Palm Beach is a suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, between Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek. At the 2006 Census, Palm Beach had a population of 13,494....
. You Should reach Currumbin Bridge. When approaching from the north, drive over the bridge and turn off the highway, heading towards the beach. The Alley is in between the rock wall and the Rocks. When approaching from the south drive along Currumbin Beach until you reach the creek mouth.
Where to paddle out
Where you should paddle out depends entirely on the conditions. When it ss big try and follow the ripsRip current
A rip current, commonly referred to by the misnomer rip tide, is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line. Typical flow is at 0.5 metres per second , and can be as fast as 2.5 metres per second...
, or paddle out from Currumbin Beach on the other side of the rocks (watch out for any underwater rocks). When it's small just head straight out, or if you're feeling lazy go through one of the many 'keyhole' passages through the rocks and have a far shorter paddle. Watch out for the rip and southerly sweep.
Waves
Once you're out in the line up, you're ready for some of the right-handers of your life. The Alley is a relatively fast, long wave which can get some great sections when the swell is up. Perfect for lots of turns and relatively forgiving. Beware, The Alley gets crowded with surfSurfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
schools on weekends, so watch out for them as they can't get out of your way and they can't move for you if you're in their way. It can be a good wave for a fish board when the swell gets to 2-3 feet. When the surf is producing medium to large size sets and you are an intermediate to well-developed surfer there is the option of jumping out of the keyhole or even off the very back, (for well-developed surfers that know the ally well).
Party Wave
Arguably the quickest method in causing personal or others harm. A 'Party Wave' is a wave that every surfer must catch. If a surfer shouts 'Party Wave', Every surfer in earshot of the original surfer that shouted party wave, must catch the same wave as everyone else for as long as possible, disregarding the dominant 'dropping in' rule. Anyone that hears the term shouted must catch the wave as they are obliged to the 'Party Wave' contract. 'Mario' is one surfer that is very keen on party waves and can be seen during the early hours of the morning enforcing the rule. 'The King' is not very fond of the concept and is the single humanoid that can overrule the 'Party Wave' notion.Hazards
When surfing at the Alley watch out for beginners(usually in the shallows and normally not an issue), rips(dragging you towards laceys lane), sweeps, rocks,(boulders submerged below the water, not an issue if you aren't surfing towards the point) and sometimes protective locals(The King).The King / Turtle Doves
The King of the alley amongst other alias's (turtle doves, emperor, lord) is a well-known local that should be taken into consideration when surfing at the alley. 'Dropping In' on the king is unwise for beginners and even experienced surfers as he is commonly known to be in control while he is there. Always look out for the elderly man with bleached white hair and sun tan with a relatively large wasitline as this is most probably the king: the most notorious 'alley' local. Incidents invloving in dropping in on the king have ended badly for the surfer (through humiliation and scrutiny, but most notably painful injuries as the notorious gang leader of the Jirating Junkies is best known yet not proven guilty of maiming his enemies). Precaution should be made while surfing under the presence of the King and only under the supervision of a fellow more docile local "Mario" can one be completely safe from violence or humiliation.Mario
Possibly the awesomest alley local. 'Mario' or otherwise known as 'Ganhdi' (from facial appearance) is friends with 'The King'. Is best known for his awesome strategic surfing stance (over-exaggerated crouch). Although he can be easily distinguished as he is five feet in height, has darker skin and stretches on the beach for approximately five minutes before surfing. It is advised not to underestimate Mario whilst surfing at the alley; because he's not just a pretty face.Lacey's Lane
Lacey's Lane is the section across the deeper channel. It often breaks when the rest of the Alley is too sheltered to get any waves. Lacey's waves fall away once the reach the deep hole between the sandbar and Palm BeachPalm Beach, Queensland
Palm Beach is a suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, between Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek. At the 2006 Census, Palm Beach had a population of 13,494....
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